[BOOK REVIEW] Blood and Sand by C.V. Wyck

Even though it’s been a while since I’ve read this book, April 2018, I think this is one of those underrated YA books that I feel like needs way more love and attention. That’s why I decided to publish my Goodreads review on the blog. The one that I wrote in April 2018.

I’ll basically put down the review as it was published on my Goodreads page, but I’ll add some nowadays insights as to how I feel about the book now as well. Sometimes, my opinion on a book changes over time when I’ve had more time to think on it etc.

But this is one of those books that I still love just as much now as I did when I read it the first time. I can’t wait to show you my dissected GR 2018 review and the added comments I put down.

Forged in battle, from the dust of the arena, a legend will rise…

Roma Victrix. The Republic of Rome is on a relentless march to create an empire―an empire built on the backs of the conquered, brought back to Rome as slaves.

Attia was once destined to rule as the queen and swordmaiden of Thrace, the greatest warrior kingdom the world had seen since Sparta. Now she is a slave, given to Xanthus, the Champion of Rome, as a sign of his master’s favor. Enslaved as a child, Xanthus is the preeminent gladiator of his generation.

Against all odds, Attia and Xanthus form a tentative bond. A bond that will spark a rebellion. A rebellion that threatens to bring the Roman Republic to its end―and gives rise to the legend of Spartacus…

My first reaction after just finishing this book back in 2018;
so… this book just completely GUTTED me and I’M SO NOT OKAY.. *keeps her ugly cry going*
That said:
This is one of the best reads of 2018 to me so far.
What an amazing adventure. What a thrilling reading experience.
Once started, I just couldn’t stop reading – like I even wanted to *snort*.

How I feel about it now;
I’m still gutted haha! And reading about how I felt just after finishing the book, has me immediately craving for the second book! I really want to do a re-read somewhere this year. The sequel is suppose to release somewhere in 2019 but they haven’t released an official date yet.

“She’s the one Attia. The one I’ve been looking for since…
since before I knew I was looking. It’s not enough to say that I love her.
I can’t breathe without her.”

I loved the added Pompei elements so so much – I’ve been intrigued with Pompei and it’s terrible history ever since I was a young girl so coming across Pompei stuff; that alone is worth the 5 stars I think hihi. Seeing the way everything about the settings is written down: Just phenomenal.The settings are just so awesome and are so easy to visualize, which I love.

Then there’s also this Spartacus re-telling thing going on; just epic! We’re being surrounded by Gladiators and more Rome related elements for example, and that is something I’ve come to love reading about in a book – This book has started that love for reading about Gladiators actually. The author did an amazing job on the way she blended it all into this story.

The romance is really well developed and is in perfect balance with the rest of the story.
Both main characters are amaaaaazing and there are a lot of minor characters present I fell in love with as well. There’s a bit of humor and lightness woven into the dark and brutal elements that are present as well. The writing was truly phenomenal – I was addicted right from the start.

“I’ll come back for you,” he said.“I’ll wait.”

April 2018: After just finishing it, my heart’s still wildly beating in my chest and I’m fiercely in denial of some things that happened just now. I’ve just been gutted by all the plot twists towards the end and it’s killing me, knowing the next book is so far away..

My opinion Now: I still feel the exact same emotions now as I did when first reading the book. Thinking back on how I experienced this book; it has me right back in the middle of feeling all the feels. I still remember how much impact this book had on me then.

My heart starts beating wildly again and I’m still in denial of some things that happened. I need that next book in my life like I need air to breathe! I need to know how this story continues!

If you like Roman elements, fierce gladiators, action scenes, beautiful romance, ‘can’t turn the page fast enough’- plot twists and amazing writing, this is THE book you were looking for.

It reminded me a lot of the Gladiator movie (the with Russell Crowe), the movie Pompei (with Kit Harrington) and TROY (with Brad Pitt).. All of it is wrapped up in a nice Young adult bookish package (even though the characters felt more mature to me than YA) that had me on the edge of my seat right from the start and I can’t recommend this book enough!!!!

It’s a super fast-paced book, an emotional rollercoaster and I’m just so completely in love with it that I could continue my fangirl rant for hours on end, lol. This is one of those books, I’d recommend to anyone, no matter if you prefer YA or adult fantasy. And especially if you’re into re-tellings! What a thrilling, heartbreaking and adventurous ride this was. It definitely WOWed me.

12 thoughts on “[BOOK REVIEW] Blood and Sand by C.V. Wyck”

If you ever get around to reading it, I’d love to hear what you think of it!
I need more people to read this book so I can talk about it haha!melissasfandomworld onlangs geplaatst…[ABC BOOKCHALLENGE] ✰ J

thank you! It’s definitely a kind of book you need to be in the mood for with the Roman elements like the gladiators, Pompeii setting, it being a YA book and things like that.melissasfandomworld onlangs geplaatst…[ABC BOOKCHALLENGE] ✰ J

Stormi

Those are definitely the best indeed! I love those books. I’ve read quite a lot of them in 2018 – read 222 books in total – so I’m hoping 2019 is going to be at least as great as well.melissasfandomworld onlangs geplaatst…[ABC BOOKCHALLENGE] ✰ J

I remember seeing a little about this book right when it was first released, then it kind of fell of the radar. So sad to see this book hasn’t gotten the hype that it apparently deserves! I definitely need to check it out now!

This is one of many books that got completely ‘snowed in’ because of hyped books. I think that’s such a shame. There’s not much to do about it unfortunately except for screaming from the rooftops how much you loved a book that hasn’t become well known yet hihi. There are mixed reviews on this book but to me, everything just felt right about it <3melissasfandomworld onlangs geplaatst…[ABC BOOKCHALLENGE] ✰ J

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I’m Melissa, an enthusiastic 29 year old Fangirl, Wife and Mommy living in the Netherlands. Reading is my superpower and I love writing reviews and other bookish articles. But there’s more to find on here as well; I sometimes talk about movies/tv series as well as some more personal stuff.

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